Behind The Brilliance

Season 15 of Behind the Brilliance delivered a mix of leading voices in psychology, entrepreneurship, and life design. This special recap distills the most powerful insights into one place highlighting big ideas and useful tools on happiness, resilience, and building a life and business on your own terms. Guests include Tal Ben-Shahar, Ellen Hendriksen, Jodi Wellman, Rand Fishkin, Chris Guillebeau, Anne-Laure Le Cunff, Elaine Pofeldt, Rae Wynn-Grant, Ahad Khan, and Sieva Kozinsky. The episode also includes a listening guide to match your interest with the relevant episode.  The recap concludes with reflections on the season's central theme: learning to work with human nature rather than against it. Essential listening for anyone who wants to understand what made Season 15 special and where to dive in next.

Chris Guillebeau, bestselling author and creator of The Art of Nonconformity, joins Lisa to explore what it really takes to build a self-directed life. He shares his unconventional path from high school dropout and aid worker in West Africa to global traveler, author of nine books, and entrepreneur. Chris unpacks the philosophy behind his work—why you don’t have to live your life the way others expect—and introduces the concept of time anxiety, the tension between the fear of running out of time and the paralysis of endless choices. The conversation covers everything from the psychology of “enough” and how mortality awareness can sharpen your priorities, to practical strategies for leaving things undone, creating accountability structures, and decluttering your calendar. Chris also opens up about ADHD, therapy, and why you should ask yourself at the end of the day, “Did today matter?” Behind his brilliance: Refusing to accept “no” and always looking for another way. TOPICS COVERED ·       The differenc

THE SHOW In this episode of Behind the Brilliance, entrepreneur and investor Sieva Kozinsky joins the show to share his journey from first-generation immigrant beginnings to co-founding Enduring Ventures, a holding company that acquires and grows businesses for the long game. Sieva opens up about the fear that fueled his early ventures, the lessons learned from failed startups and pivots, and why fundraising can sometimes blind founders to what really matters. We dive deep into the psychology of selling a company, the art of negotiation with founders, and how legacy is built (or destroyed) in the years after an exit. Sieva also reflects on emotional discipline, meditation, and why surrounding yourself with the right five people may be the single most important factor in your growth. This conversation extends beyond building businesses to explore a useful philosophy for building a life you’ll still be proud of twenty years from now. Behind his Brilliance: His mother and grandmother  TOPICS COVERED

THE SHOW What happens when you build the company of your dreams, only to realize the dream came with tradeoffs you didn’t see coming? In this candid conversation, Rand Fishkin — cofounder of Moz and SparkToro — shares the pivotal moments that shaped his career: turning a $39 side experiment into a multimillion-dollar SaaS, raising venture capital for the wrong reasons, walking away from a $40M acquisition offer, and rebuilding his identity after leaving the company he founded. Along the way, Rand unpacks the philosophy he lives by now: designing work around the life you want, not the other way around. You’ll learn why audience-first growth changes everything, how “dark social” can reshape your marketing strategy, and why the best companies aren’t built on hustle, but on thoughtful design. If you’ve ever wrestled with status anxiety, questioned the pace you’re working at, or wondered what it would look like to run a business without burning yourself out, this episode will give you fresh perspectives and action

Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant is a wildlife ecologist, storyteller, and nature show host whose path to success defies every traditional metric of merit. In this candid conversation, Rae shares how she went from struggling in math and science classes to earning a PhD and becoming a leading voice in wildlife conservation. We explore the pivotal role that belief, representation, and access played in shaping her journey from her first exposure to nature through television, to a transformative study abroad trip to Kenya, to an unexpected pivot from lions to black bears. Rae also opens up about hitting emotional rock bottom in her 30s, the identity crisis that followed, and how she rebuilt her life with honesty, humility, and hope. This episode is a testament to what’s possible when we follow our passion, even when our performance or our path doesn’t fit the mold. Behind her brilliance:  Taking a non-traditional approach TOPICS COVERED:  Why passion trumps performance - How to pursue your calling even when traditional metri

THE SHOW Most of us are running on autopilot, checking boxes, chasing goals, and pushing toward some imagined finish line without stopping to ask if this is how we really want to spend our lives. In this conversation, Jodi Wellman, author of You Only Die Once and founder of the 4,000 Mondays framework, makes the case for using mortality as a tool, not a threat. She shares why contemplating the end of life can snap us out of numb routines and guide us toward choices that create more vitality, meaning, and joy right now. We talk about why achievement can feel hollow, how to spot the “dead zones” in your life, and the surprising power of small changes to make life feel bigger. Whether you have been wondering if there is more to life than your to do list or you just want to feel more alive in your everyday routines, this conversation is a reminder that your Mondays are numbered so make them count. Behind her brilliance: Love and the Grim Reaper    TOPICS COVERED ·  Mortality as Motivation: Facing the reality of d

Elaine Pofeldt, former Fortune Small Business editor, uncovered a hidden economy of one-person businesses quietly earning 7 figures and spent years interviewing the entrepreneurs behind them. In this conversation, she reveals the surprising industries dominating this space, why professional services often outperform tech, and the frameworks that actually work for building sustainable solo wealth. From starting smart while keeping your day job to using AI as your secret weapon, Elaine breaks down the real strategies behind million-dollar one-person businesses. No hype, no hustle culture required. Plus: why health and boundaries aren’t “extras” but essential business infrastructure, and how to design a career that serves your life instead of consuming it. Essential listening for anyone who wants financial freedom without chasing passive income or playing the venture capital game. Behind Her Brilliance: Family   TOPICS COVERED Elaine’s journey from fiction writing to journalism   The evolution of business journa

THE SHOW Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar, Harvard-trained psychologist and author of multiple bestsellers including Happier, joins Lisa to explore the psychology and habits that lead to happiness in modern times. He uncovers the myths that keep successful people miserable and why our pursuit of the next achievement isn’t the answer. He shares his personal journey from academic achievement to profound unhappiness, breaks down the difference between experiencing emotions and being consumed by them, and offers a counterintuitive approach to emotional health through passive observation. The conversation covers everything from the achievement trap and social media's impact on happiness to practical parenting strategies and the future of leadership in a post-pandemic world. Behind his brilliance: Curiosity and passionate effort Visit BehindtheBrilliance.com for the show notes   TOPICS COVERED Why successful people often feel secretly empty The myth of constant happiness and toxic positivity culture Passive observation: witne

SUMMARY Anne-Laure Le Cunff, founder of Ness Labs and author of Tiny Experiments: How to Live Freely in a Goal-Obsessed World, joins Lisa to reveal her unconventional career journey from Google engineer to startup founder to neuroscience student to successful entrepreneur with Ness Labs. Growing up outside Paris with parents who prioritized financial security, she landed a dream job at Google with the status and paycheck that signaled success. But she soon realized that the ladder she was climbing was leaning against the wrong wall. This conversation explores cognitive scripts that keep us stuck, the importance of experimentation over rigid goal-setting, navigating uncertainty, and designing a life aligned with internal rather than just external metrics of success. Anne-Laure shares insights on managing different types of burnout, the psychology of major transitions, and how she uses tools like journaling and AI to support her work and decision-making. Behind her brilliance: Curiosity Say hi to Anne-Laure

THE SHOW Ahad Khan, CEO of Kajabi, shares how his Midwestern roots shaped his approach to building software for "regular people," his experiences navigating investment banking, startup acquisitions, and the creator economy. Ahad reveals his philosophy on people-first decision making, the power of work-life integration over balance, and why choosing character over compensation has been the thread connecting every major career move. The conversation explores the evolution of the creator economy, the challenges of remote leadership, and practical strategies for staying present as both a CEO and father of three. Behind His Brilliance: Immigrant parents who modeled hard work, presence, and the courage to build a life around what matters most Get the show notes here.  TOPICS COVERED ·       Why pivoting early (or late) is worth it ·       Growing up in Northeast Ohio and the "regular people" advantage in tech ·       Why his father said "you can be any kind of engineer you want" ·       Investment banking cultu

THE SHOW In this episode of Behind the Brilliance, Dr. Ellen Hendriksen, clinical psychologist and author of How to Be Enough, joins the show to explore the nuances of perfectionism—from its seductive productivity perks to its hidden emotional costs. She shares her own journey from high-achieving student to recovering perfectionist, breaks down the psychology of procrastination and emotional suppression, and offers practical strategies for redefining self-worth, navigating achievement hangovers, and aligning with intrinsic values. The conversation also touches on the loneliness epidemic, community building, and how shifting from "have to" to "choose to" can transform how we show up in our lives.   Behind her Brilliance: Investing in what connects us to others instead of what sets us apart   TOPICS COVERED Why pivoting early (or late) is worth it A new definition of perfectionism—and why it’s a trap The two pillars of maladaptive perfectionism: overvaluation and rigid standards The myth of emotional perf

Lisa summarizes Season 14, Defying the Odds, with reflections on the strategies shared and helpful recaps. 240 – Dr. Andrew Newberg 241 – Cin Fabre 242 – Tyler Denk 243 – Jim Fielding 244 – Dr. Valerie Daniels-Carter 245 – Simone Stolzoff 246 – Thomas Wedell-Wedellsborg 247 – Andrew Barnes 248 – Jamila Souffrant 249 – Kevin Kelly   Subscribe to CUE at BehindtheBrilliance.com to be the first to know when the new season streams.

THE SHOW Kevin Kelly is a modern creative pioneer. He was a polymath before it was cool. His career as a writer, founder, photographer, and editor extends across industries and continents. A world traveler and lifelong learner, Kevin’s ideas such as 1000 True Fans have inspired a generation of builders and artists to exercise full agency over their creative pursuits. Kevin was on a short list of dream guests I’ve long held for Behind the Brilliance, and our conversation did not disappoint. He was candid and thoughtful as we covered a wide range of topics including career and life design, religion, decision making, unpopular opinions, and much more. This is an excellent listen for the dreamers, doers, and builders who want to hear the embodiment of integrating passion, purpose, and profit with thoughtful optimism.  Behind His Brilliance: Luck + Not caring what others think Say hi to Kevin on X (Twitter): @kevin2kelly   THE GUEST KEVIN KELLY | AUTHOR + CO-FOUNDER, WIRED ​​ Kevin Kelly is Senior Maveric

THE SHOW Jamila Souffrant’s expertise in personal finance is informed by her own experience turning financial uncertainty into financial freedom. She and her husband saved $169,000 in 2 years and redefined their future with smart money decisions. Now she’s guiding people from diverse backgrounds to more fulfilled lives through her personal finance podcast, Journey to Launch, and her new book, Your Journey to Financial Freedom. ​​Jamila’s work has been featured in Money Magazine, CNBC, and more. The Journey To Launch Podcast was listed by the NYTimes as a podcast to help you get better with your money.   We covered a wide range of topics at the intersection of lifestyle and personal finance including creating financial independence, decoupling time and money, how to approaching spending vs saving vs earning, the specific mindset work that’s critical to the personal finance journey and much more. We touched on FIRE which stands for Financial Independence Retire Early which is a movement that targets building

A dynamic and growing group of companies and organizations are moving to a 4 day work week. Andrew Barnes is the pioneer behind this movement. It all started with an experiment to see what would happen if his team worked 4 days instead of 5. The results were so breathtaking that he never looked back. Now there's an entire organization - including research, a book, and tools - dedicated to making the work world more efficient.   Through his company – New Zealand's largest corporate trustee company, Perpetual Guardian – Andrew announced a 4 day week trial, with staff receiving an extra day off work, on full pay, each week. The trial was an undeniable success, sparking widespread international interest and winning a number of global awards. Today, Barnes is considered the pioneer and architect of the global 4 day week movement. As co-founder of 4 Day Week Global with his partner, Charlotte Lockhart, they are conducting the largest ever trials, currently taking place across the UK, US, Canada, South Africa,

Thomas Wedell-Wedellsborg is the author of ‘What’s Your Problem?’ which was released by Harvard Business Press. He is also the co-author (with Paddy Miller) of Innovation as Usual, a Harvard Business Review Press book on the art of driving innovation in regular organizations. Thomas has worked with managers in nearly all parts of the globe, including China, India, Russia, Singapore, Britain, France and his native country, Denmark. His research has been featured in Harvard Business Review, The Economist, The Sunday Times, The Telegraph, BBC Radio, Bloomberg Businessweek and the Financial Times. His work on innovation led HR Magazine to recognize him as a “Top 20 International Thinker”. This conversation is a continuation of a string of conversations about work and creating more effective life/work integration. I’m leaning in on this topic because most of us have experienced periods of persistent angst around work, frustration with recurring work problems, and difficulty managing work relationships. This series

THE SHOW Simone Stolzoff is a designer, and workplace expert who is the former design lead at the global innovation firm IDEO. His work has been featured in The New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, The Atlantic, and many other publications. He’s the author of The Good Enough Job: Reclaiming Life from Work. This conversation is, in my opinion, among the most important in the history of the show. It’s not particularly dramatic, but it’s hard for me to overstate the importance of the ideas and practical applications we discussed around life design, work, the relationship between to work and identity, and why carefully curating these things instead of letting them happen is an absolute must if you want to create more meaning and satisfaction at the intersection of your work and life. We covered a wide range of things including the Western tendency toward work as a status symbol, how to make a career pivot, questions to consider when reflecting on the context of your career in your life, how to re

THE SHOW Dr. Valerie Daniels-Carter is founder and president of V&J Holdings, the largest female-owned franchise organization in the United States. As one of the best known fast-food operators in the United States with more than 130 units across multiple brands, Valerie has partnered with influential leaders like NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal to expand her operations. She sits on the board of the Green Bay Packers and is a minority owner of the Milwaukee Bucks. As a seasoned leader, Valerie has learned what it takes to create and sustain success when you don’t have a head start. Valerie was candid about her challenges and how she persisted to create a life and career that aligns with her values. We covered a wide range of topics from how she landed her first franchise location to how she identifies great partners along with more personal topics like grief and her reflections on the role of family and faith in her life.  Behind Her Brilliance: Faith, Family, Friends, Passion   THE GUEST VALERIE DANIELS-CART

THE SHOW Jim Fielding is casting the kind of light we all need to free us from the anxiety of being enough and doing enough. Throughout his illustrious career as an executive as the world’s most recognizable companies, he found that authenticity and kindness were the secrets to achieving the kind of success he most craved. But these realizations didn’t come easy. After struggling with coming out, building international teams, and climbing corporate ladders, Jim left it all behind to lean into a new chapter where he brings his whole self to his work. This conversation is a must listen for anyone who wants to design a more meaningful professional life that delivers fulfillment and stability without sacrificing authenticity. Behind His Brilliance: Family Say hi to Jim on Instagram @allpridenoego THE GUEST JIM FIELDING | EXECUTIVE + AUTHOR, ALL PRIDE, NO EGO Jim Fielding is a partner at Archer Gray, and president of its Co-Lab Division. A retail and media industry veteran, Jim served as presi

Tyler Denk is making a name for himself as a CEO who building a modern company that brings fresh energy to an old space: e-mail. He’s powering the world’s most beloved newsletters through Beehiiv, the company he founded in 2021. beehiiv is an all-in-one product suite for newsletter.  Tyler joined Morning Brew as the second employee, leading product and engineering, and helped them scale up until the acquisition by Business Insider in 2020. He then had a stint at Google as a Product Lead on the YouTube Music team, before ultimately leaving to start beehiiv in 2021, where he is currently the CEO. Tyler’s story is an inspiring journey in strartups and aligning personal values with business vision. Behind His Brilliance: Family Say hi Tyler on X/Twitter: @denk_tweets